Refrigerator



A. A. KucHER" July 1929.

REFRIGERATOR Original Filed June 4, 1.923

GOOOOO Level of liquld work/n9 fluid [ek/ 0/ #911121 fluid .AJfua/zer INVENTOR WITNESSES; I I

ATTORNEY rusted-Jul 2,1929.

uNlrEosrATEs I PA ENT oFFlcE.

' KUOEER, OI CHESTER, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB T WESTINGHOUQE ELECTRIC Q IA'NUFAQ'I'UBING COMPANY, A CORPORATION ORPENNBYLVANIA.

REFRIGERATOR.

Application filed June 4,1923, Serial 110. 648,888. Renewed November 28, 1826.

, object to provide a novel method and means I for maintaining a supply of-lubricant for themechanis'm which shall be effective dur ing long periods of service without attention. It has for another object to provide, in a 0 machine which employs a workingfluid hava ing as constituents a refrigerant and a lubricant 'which together form a homogeneous mixture or physical solution, a method and means for separating out the refrigerant M from the lubricant.

It has for a still further object to utilize the heat of the motor and of the compressor to p erators. This working fluid is of such charvaporize off the "refrigerant contained in the liquid working fluid and to maintain an ample supply of the'remaining liquid, which is substantially lubricant, for sealing and lubricating the mechanism. 1 These and other objects, which will be made apparent throughout the further description 2 of the invention may be attained by the employment bfthe apparatus hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is" a view artly in section and artly in elevation 'o a comac pression refrigerator in which my invention may bepract-lced; and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation takenon the line 11-11 of Fig. 1. In refrigerators of the household type it has been proposed to enclose the compression mechanism in a fluid tight chamber to revent the escape of the working fluid and, or this reason, somemeans for the lubrication thereof must be provided which will operate without attention continuously and reliably-for m long periods of time, as for example, for .one

or more years. It has heretofore been pro-. posed to employ in compressionrefrigerators. a lubricant which is immiscible w th the refrigerant. Many liquids possessing. to a greater or less'extent this property, have been used, generally with incomplete success,"since no combination of lubricant and refrigerant -has been found in which the lubricants do not mix to some extent when brought togather under the conditions ofagitation ob-v taining in a compression 1 refrigerator. Mechanical separators of various" types have been employed in connection with machines of this character to facilitate the segregation of the' lubricant and. the refrigerant. This expedient'has improved the operation but has not resulted in accom lishing sufiiciently complete segre ation o the fluids to enable compression re igerators utilizing a compound working fluid of this character to operate for long periods without the replacing of the lubricant. I

In my machine, I employ a working fluid consisting of a refrigerant and a lubricant which readily mix one withthe other to form a homogeneous or 1i uid solution, and which I have disclosed .111 my copending application, serially numbered 617,844, filed ebruary 8, 1923 and entitled Refrigacter that its constituents are not separable mechanically, but only, by vaporization.

In the apparatus of the present invention, I su ly a mixed refrigerant vapor andiliquid wor mg fluid to the compressor which, when discharged thereby, are impinged upon a baflie. -This baflie substantially separates the compressor and the motor. The heat ab:

sorbed is suflicient to vaporize off an extremely high percentage of the refrigerant heldin solution in the liquid working fluid and the liquid thus treated, which is substantially lubricant, is drained to a reservoir from which it is conveyed to the work ing parts of the apparatus as is required.

Referring't'o the drawings for a detailed description .of my invention, I show the con densing chamber of a refrigerator of a' type disclosed in a copending application of mine, serially numbered 509,672, filed October 22, 1921, and entitled Refrigeration machine. In this type of machine, my novel method of operation may be carried out, but it is to be understood that the invention may be racticed in other types of compression mac ines and that the apparatus illustrated and herein described isemployed by way of example and as an aid in presenting a clear exposition of my invention. As illustrated, designates a condensing chamber comprising a bell ordome 11 secured to a base plate 12 and to a pedestal 13 by bolts '14. A come pressor 15 driven through a shaft 16 by a suitable motor 17 is disposed within the chamber. Supported u on the base plate 12 is an inverted cu shaped castin 718 which forms a casing or the motor an which also I 10 .supplorts the compressor 15.-

e fluid discharged by the compressor 15 is conveyed by a conduit 19 toward a, baflie 21. -The baflie 21 is disposed overthe comvpressor 15 and is of such conformation as to .15 cause liquid working fluid, which may be impinged thereon, to fall downwardly upon the" compressor. Cast integral with the motor casting 18 and surrounding the upper surface thereof is a trough '22 for catching theIiquid working fluid,which falls upon the compressor and which flows downwardly over the mo tor casing. Communicating therewith and also cast integral with the motor casing is a ing coils 27 having water. inlet and outlet con nections which pass without the chamber. Supported upon the uppersurface of the motor casing by brackets 28 is a circular deflector 29 which is so arranged as to prevent li uid, which has been condensed upon the coi s 27, from entering the trough 22 while falling to the lowerportion of the condensing chamber. The liquid collectedin the lower portion of the condensing chamber is conveyed by means ofa passage 30, arranged within the motor casing 18, and a connecting'conduit 31 to an evaporator 32. The flow of liquid through the. passage 30 is controlled by means of a reducing valve 33which is actuated by a float 34. The conduit 31 terminates near the lower portion of the evapora-- 0133 for the discharge of the liquid working I.

Vapor generated in -the evaporator 32 is returned to the compressor-Flay means of a con -,duit 35. The lowerportion'of the conduit 35 is formed into a U-tube having its open end disposed abovethe level of the liquid in the evaporator and having its curved portion extending well below the level of theliquid in the evaporator. A small aperture 36. located in the curved portion of the U- tube and below the normal level of the liquid, permitsa small amount of 'liquid working fluid to enter the vapor. conduit 35 and to be carried upwardly to thecompreor. A con thin film of liquid thereon. It then flows duit 37 communicates with the lower portion of the motor chamber and with the conduit 35 for the return to the compressor 15 of liquid working fluid which has been employedto lubricatethe motor.

The operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: The condensing chamber 10 and the evaporator 32 are filled to a level, such as indicated on the drawing, with a suitable liquid working fluid. As stated heretofore, this li uid working fluid may be composed of a h ricant. and a refrigerant which together form a homogeneous mixture or physical solution. It will be noted that the level of the liquid working fluid in the condensing chamber is below the level of the trough .22. After the motor 17 has been started, the compressor 15 discharges through ;the conduit 19 a conimingled liquid working fluid and refrigerant vapor which are impinged upon the bafiie 21. r The refrigerant vapor is substantially separated from the liquid working fluidand passes outwardly to the coils 27 upon which it is condensed bv the cooling action'thereof. The condensed refrigerant falls to the lower portion of the condensing chamber, and. upon sufficient rise of liquid level therein, the float 34 will act to open the reducing valve 33 to permit a flow of liquid working fluid through the passage 30 and conduit 31 to the evaporator 32. -Within the evaporator the refrigerant contained in the liquid 'working' fluid is evaporated by the absorption of heat from the refrigerant box (not shown), and the refrigerant vapor is returned by the conduit 35 to the inlet of the compressor 15.- The small aperture 36 being disposed below the level of the liquid in the evaporator, a small quantity of liquid working fluid flows into the conduit 35 and is entrained in the refrigerant vapor being conveyed to the compressor. 1)

The liquidworking fluid which has been separated from the refrigerant vapor by the baflle 21 falls downwardly upon the upper surface of the compressor 15, and foiims a downwardly in a film over the outer surface of the compressor and is deposited upon the hottest portion, that is the upper surface, of 1 v the motor casing 18. It flows over and down the outer surface-of the motor casing 18 and is caught inthe trough 22 after which it drains to the reservoir 23. In passing over the compressor 15 and the motor casing 18. a 1211 considerable portionof the-heat generated bv the motor 17 and the compressor 15 is absorbed, and a very high percentage of the refri I t, which is contained in the liquid fluid, is vaporized ofl andpasses to the condensing coils 27 and thence to the lower portion of the condensing chamber. The liquid, therefore, which enters the reservoir 23 is substantially lubricant and this so-called lubricant is conveyed by means of the tube 24 I;

and the ressure prevailing within the conpressor.. Itinay then be utilized to forma liquid seal'between the rotor and'the casingof the compressor and to lubricate the working parts of the compression mechanism as may be required. An ample supply is always maintained within the reservoir 23, and should theflow of the liquid thereto be greater than that required, the excess will eventually flow overfthe edge of the trough 22 and commingle with the relatively large body of liquid working fluid in the lower portion of the condensing chamber. The lubricant discharged by the conduit 24 may be conveyed through the working parts of the apparatus by any approved means, and after'passing therethrough is returned to the inlet of the compressor 15 by means of the conduit 37.

, While I have shown my,invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes andmodifications, without departing from the spirit" thereof, and-I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims' What I claim is: l. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a working fluid composed of an intimatemixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant is employed, the combination of a condensing' chamber, means for-maintaining a body of liquid working fluid therein, a compressor disposed within the condensing chamber and above the level of the liquid working fluid, means for passinglliquid working fluid over the compressor, w ereby the heat of the com:

pressor 1s utilized to vaporize oil the refrigerant contained in the liquid working fluid, means disposed within the condensing chamher for collecting. the liquid working fluid till which; has been subjected to the heat of the compressor, and means-for utilizing thecollected liquid to lubricate the apparatus;

2. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a working fluid composed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a' lubricant is. em-

ployed, the combination of a condensing chamber, means for maintaining a-body of liquid working fluid there' a motor casingv provided within the con ensing chamber, said motor ithsinghavi'ng a portion thereof disposed above the level of theliquid working fluid, a motor disposed within the motor casing, means for passing liquid workin fluid over that portion of the motor casing w ich is disposed above the level of the liquid working fluid contained in the condensing chamber, whereb vaporize oif the refrigerant contained in the liquid working fluid, means disposed with n the condensing chamber for connecting the the heat of the motor is utilized'to chamber, means for maintaining a body of liquid Working fluid therein, a compressor. disposed within the condensing chamber and above the level ofthe liquid working fluid, a motor casing provided within the condensing chamber, said motor-casing havinga portion thereof disposed above the level of the liquid working fluid contained in the condensing chamber, a motor disposed within the motor casing, means for passing liquid working fluid over the compressor and over that portion of the motor casing which is disposed above the level of the liquid working fluid contained in the condensing chamber, whereby the heat of the compressor and the motor is utilized to vaporize off refrigerant contained in the liquid working fluid, means for collecting the liquid working fluid whichihas been subjected to the heat'of the compressor and the motor, and means for utilizing the collected liquid tolubricate the apparatus.

' 4. In a refrigerating apparatus in which a working fluid composed of an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and alubricant is employed, the combination of a compressor, means for subjecting the liquid workmg 'the'compressor to vaporize off refrigerant from the liquid working fluid, a re rvoir,

disposed below the compressor, and means j,

' motor for driving the compressor, means for subjecting the liquid working fluid discharged from the compressor to the heat of the com resser and the motor for vaporizing ofi refrigerant from the liquid working fluid, a reservoir disposed adjacent to the motor, and means for conveying the liquid working fluid which has been subjected" toxthe heat vof the compressor and the. motorto said reservoir.

. a-liquid workin 7. In a refrigerating apparatus which g fluid com of an. intimate mixture a refrigerant and a lubricant is employed, the combination of a compressor, means for subjecting liquid working fluid discharged by the compressor to 'the' heat of the' compressor and thence to the heat of the motorfor vaporizing ofi' refrige'rant from the liqiii'd working fluid,'a reservoir disposed below the compressor and ad- "jacent to the motor, means for -conveying the liquid working fluidwhich has been subjected to the heat of thecompress'or and the motor to said reservoir, and means for utiliz ing. the liquid working fluid within the reser:

f voir to lubricate the apparatus.

.' In a refrigerating apparatus in which a workingfluid composed ofa'n intimate mix- 2mm of a refrigerant and a lubricant is employed, the combination of a condensing chamber, means for maintaining a substantially constant level of liquid working flu1d 'densingcham r and above the level of the liquid working fluid, means for substantially separating the refrigerantvapors andliquid working fluid discharged by the compremor and for directing the liquid working fluid upon the hot outer surfacesof the compressor, ,whereby refrigerantcontained in the hquld working fluid 1s vaporized off, and means for storing a s'ubstantialquantity of the liquid working fluid thus treated. '9. .In a refrigeratingap aratusvin which a working fluid composed 0 an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricant is employed, t e combination of a condensing chamber, a, motor casing disposed within the condensing chamber, a motor disposed within the motor casing, a compressor superimposed upon the motor casing, means for maintaining, belowth'e upper surface of the motor. casing, a substantially constant level of 1i uid working fluid within the condensingc amber, a baflie for substantially separating the vapor and liquidworking fluid discharged by thecompressor and for directing the liquid-working-fluid upontlie com- -pressor,ja motor disposed below the come therein, a'comgeressor' disposed within the con- 25 compressor su chamber, a motor casing disposed therein, a

rimposed upon the motor casing and disc arging into the condensin chamber a mixed refrigerant vapor and liqui working fluid, a baflle for substantially separating the refrigerant vapor and the liquid working fluid discharged by the com ressor, said baflie being so disposed within t e condensing chamber as to cause the liquid working fluid to fall upon the compressor and thence to flow downwardly over themotor rcasing, a trough surroundin the motor casing for collecting the liqui working fluid which has been subjected to the heat of the compressor and the motor, a baflle for preventing liquid working fluid which has not been subjected to the heat of the',oom ressor and the motor from'falling into/ said trough, a reservoir disposed below and communicating with the trough; and a conduit, subject to the pressure prevailing within the condensing pressorand a portion of the motor casin a' reservoir for collectin the hquid work ng fluid-thus treated, an meansfor utilizing a said liquid working fluidto lubricate the ap:

10. In a refrigerating aplparatus In which a. working fluid-compose of. an intimate mixture of a refrigerant and a lubricantis employed, the combination of a condensing; chamber, a motor casing disposed therein, a

qompressor superimposed upon the. motor chamber, for conveying the liquid working fluid within the reservoir to the apparatus for sealing and lubricating the same.

12. In a 'refri ratingjviipparatus in which is employed a In ricant hich may take into solution some ofthe liquid refrigerant, the combination of a compressor, a motor for driving the compressor, means for passing the lubricant over a portion of the compressor and the motor, whereby liquid refrigerant in solution with'the lubricant is vaporized off, and means for draining the lubricant thus treated to a reservoir.

13. In arefri erating apparatus in which is employed a In ricant whlch may take into solution some of the'li uid refrigerant, a compressor', a motorcfor riving the compressor, a. casing enclosing the motor and the-comressor, meansfor subjectin the lubricant to eat, whereby the liquid re riger'ant in solution with the lubricant is vaporized off, and means for draining the lubricant thus treated to, the lower portion of the casing.

14. In a refrigerating apparatus in which is em loyed a lubricant which may take into solution some of the liquid refrigerant, a compressor, a motor for driving the com- F pressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the --motor d sposed-within the motor casing, a.

casing, means for passing li uid working fluid over the compressor an thence over the motor casing, whereby the liquid workfluid absorbs heat from the compressor compressor means for subjecting the lubricant to the heat of the compressor, for vaporizing off the refrigerant in solution therewith, and means embodied in the lower portion of the casing for collecting the lubricant thus treated.

15. In a refrigerating apparatus in which is employed a lubricant which may take into solution some of the liquid refrigerant, a compressor, a motor for driving the'compressor, a casing enclosing the motor and the compressor, means for subjecting the lubricant to some of the heat generated by the compressor and the motor, whereby liquid refrigw erant contained in solution with the lubricant is vaporized ofi, moans embodied in the lower portion of the casing for collecting the lubri cant thus treated, and means associated with the casing for condensing the refrigerant vaporized by the heat of the compressor and the motor.

16. In a refrigerating apparatus, the combination of a closed condensing chamber, a

compressor" for discharging compressed refrigerant vapor having liquid entrained therein and disposed within said chamber,

- isclaimer filed February Electric 2 Manufacturing Company.

1,719,820. -And and bafile means in the condensing chamber and-disposed above the compressor for deflecting the entrained lubricant over the compressor.

17 In a refrigerating apparatus, the 'com- 25 bination of a compressor for discharging compressed refrigerant vapor having liquid entrained therein,a fluid-tight casing enclosing the compressor; bafiie means provided Within thecasing above the compressor for separat- 30 below the compressor, and means for condens- 35 ing the refrigerant vapor. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this ZQth'day of May, 1923.

ANDREW A. KUCHER.

Rnrmanna'ron. Patent dated July 2, 12, 1944, by the assignee, We'stmghoase Hereby enters'this disclaimer to claims 12, 13, and 14.

[Qflicial Gazette March 21-, 1944] 

